Thanks to all who have read the story and to the ONE of you that reviewed. I anticipated this story being about 8 chapters in total. I really do hope that you review because I want constructive criticism. This whole writing thing makes me nervous and I want to prove that I can do it and a good job of it. So I need feedback and lots of encouragement. So enjoy and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry, I wish I did.

Chapter 3

The next week allowed us to go back to our schedule and it was a bit of a relief to have normalcy in our lives again. I was able to catch up on my painting and look at more properties with Colin for our gallery. Colin and I were getting frustrated because we just couldn't seem to find the right place. Everything was either too small, too expensive, or in a poor location. I knew though, that if we persevered, we would finally come across the place that had everything we needed.

As far as Harry went, whatever happened the night of the wedding between us didn't seem to have any lasting effects because when I saw him later that week he was acting like he normally does. I figured the strangeness between us was the effect of too much Champaign and not enough rest. After a few days, I forgot that anything had even happened

Ron and Hermione returned from their Honeymoon full of love, happiness, and excitement. We had them, the Lupin's, and Harry over the next weekend for dinner. Hermione told us all about the places that they had seen, what the wizarding city was like there, and how beautiful some of the islands were, especially Santorini.

I sat there during dinner lost in my thoughts and I realized that Harry had asked me a question and was looking at me in a strange way, waiting for an answer. I quickly looked over and said 'Sorry Harry, I was somewhere else. What did you ask?'

'Did you finish that painting?' he repeated.

'Oh yes, and I have another one done also. I am taking them to Miles tomorrow to place in his gallery. He told me that he has a client who might be interested in one of them. Next, I have this new idea for some art based on Quidditch that I think is really going to work out'.

Harry sort of narrowed his eyes and asked 'Who is Miles?'

'Oh, Miles is a Wizard who owns an art gallery. He does mostly Muggle artists but he has a section of Wizarding art. I have actually done quite well with him and he is trying to help me with my gallery. He thinks it really is about time to have an entire Wizard Gallery but he has too many Muggle clients to do it himself.' I told him.

'Have you had much success finding a place?' he asked me.

'Well, we are still looking and keeping quite optimistic about locating the 'perfect spot'. I replied to him.

We chatted quietly during the rest of the dinner, I told him about what buildings Colin and I had looked at and what was wrong with them. We finished dinner and I helped Mum clear the dishes. Everyone retired to the family room for dessert and coffee. Tonks was asking me about my work and I offered to let everyone come and see what was done.

We climbed to my studio and I lighted the room and everyone oohed and awed over the paintings. I was rather proud of them as I had to do a rather complicated charm on one to have the correct movement in it. I knew that these two paintings were some of my best work yet and I was glad that my family and friends got to see them before they left.

Harry again was looking at the other odd drawings and sketches that were lying around the corners of my room. He came across my preliminary sketches for the Quidditch line and asked me about them. I walked over and showed him the sketches and explained what I was going to do with them. He seemed really impressed and told me that he wanted to see them when they were done, that he wanted to buy them.

I looked over at him 'But Harry where would you keep them? You don't have a flat or home'.

Right then at that moment he looked at me and it was the same sort of feeling that I had at the wedding, his eyes were so intense and so green, they were piercing my soul, and I couldn't look away. His voice deepened 'I want to keep them because I plan on settling down soon, buying a home and getting married'. He reached over to take the sketches from me and he touched me hand. I had these shivers go through me, it was like an electric shock and I just kept staring at him. 'I know they would look great in my home, when I find a place I want you there........to help me decorate it'.

He was still looking at me with his intense stare when Hermione came up and overheard the last part of the conversation. 'Harry, are you staying in England? Oh this is so exciting, where are you going to live? Hermione asked.

Harry slowly looked away from me and I could feel a bright blush come up on my cheeks. I was so absorbed in what had just happened that I didn't even hear his reply. I kept playing his words over and over in my mind. I couldn't come to a decision as to what was going on.

In a very distracted state I bade my friends good night and saw them out the door. Mum, sensing something was off asked if I wanted to have some tea before bed. I knew that I wasn't ready to talk about it yet; everything was too scrambled in my brain. I declined and told her that I really wanted to go to bed.

As I climbed the stairs I wasn't sure about Harry's meanings or intentions but I knew that his behavior was making me extremely nervous.

Again the next couple of times that I saw Harry later that week he acted quite normal to me and again, I figured that I was imagining things. Harry had changed a lot in the past couple of years and maybe his new intensity towards me was one of the changes. I decided to act like his friend and to not worry about it.

I was looking forward to the next weekend because there was a wizarding carnival in Diagon Alley. It only happens every few years or so and this would be the first organized one since the war was over. Diagon Alley is completely transformed, with Wizards and Witches traveling from all over Europe to visit, perform, or sell their crafts. Weasley Wizarding Wheezes was planning a big open house and Fred and George had been planning for months to have the store completely ready. We all agreed to go as a family and help the twins if they needed it.

Saturday dawned bright and early and upon looking out my window I could see it would be a perfect summer day. Since we were all meeting at Ron and Hermione's flat I decided to get up early and being the wonderful, loving sister that I am, I made a batch of Ron's favorite scones, lemon and poppy seed.

As I was sitting in the kitchen waiting for the scones to be done baking, Dad came skipping down the stairs, whistling, 'Smells wonderful sweetheart, your Mum and I are having a bit of a lie in and we will meet you at the twin's shop. I watched him get out two tea cups, fill them and place them on a tray; he conjured a rose, placed it on the tray and practically ran up the stairs. I decided to go get ready and head over to Ron and Hermione's early because I really didn't want to think about what exactly was going on in my parent's bedroom. It's has been known in my family that when Mum has a lie in and Dad comes down stairs whistling we don't go anywhere near their bedroom for at least two hours.

I Apparated over to Ron's and knocked on the door. Ron opened the door and I held up my basket of scones in front of his face. His face broke out into a big grin and said 'Gin, did I ever tell you that you are my favorite sister'.

'Well Ron' I replied 'since I am your only sister I can't consider that much of a compliment'.

He just laughed, gave me a quick hug, grabbed the basket even quicker and herded me over to their breakfast table. 'Hermione will be done soon; she is finishing her hair and where are Mum and Dad?' Ron asked.

'You don't want to know, Dad was whistling and Mum was still upstairs, he said they would meet us at the twin's shop,' I said while helping myself to some coffee.

'Oh gross, I don't know why they have to make it so obvious,' Ron said. 'Oh please Ron, while it does present disturbing images, it's sweet that they still love each other that way. Besides, you and Hermione will be that old some day,' I said.

'It won't be the same, definitely not the same', he said.

'Oh sure, I'll ask your children that question.'

We finished our discussion on our parent's sex life and I started reading 'Witches Weekly' while nibbling on my scone. Ron was checking out the Quidditch articles in the 'Daily Prophet'. I was thumbing through the magazine when I came across an article that caught my interest....'The Ten Most Eligible Wizards in England'. Yes, you guessed correctly, the number one person on that list was none other than Harry. I read his bio and couldn't hold back my laughter. This got Ron's attention and he looked over the table to see what I was looking at. 'What's so funny?' he asked. By that time, I really couldn't speak and I just handed him the article. I watched as his eyes got wider and then he let out a loud guffaw.

Hermione walked in the room at that same moment and wondered what was so funny. Ron handed her the article and she read it and tutted. 'They didn't get his bio quite right and he is not going to like this at all'.

Ron said 'He might not like it, but we are going to have so much fun with this, I hope the twins have seen it'.

'Ohh Ron, that's not very nice, you're his best friend', Hermione said.

'I know dear, but best friends are supposed to tease each other mercilessly, it's written down somewhere in the "Best Friend Rule Book"', Ron replied.

I took the magazine and looked over the rest of the 'Eligible Wizards'. 'Isn't Oliver Wood engaged, I don't think he should qualify for 'Eligible', I muttered.

There was a knock on the door and when Hermione answered it, and the most 'Eligible Bachelor' walked in. Ron and I looked at each other and couldn't help but break out into laughter.

Harry walked over to the table and helped himself to a scone. 'What are you two laughing about now?'

'You' was the simultaneous reply.

Harry sighed 'What did I do now to give you both so much joy'?

'Well Harry', Ron started, 'You my son, are the most 'Eligible Wizard in England' according to the latest 'Witches Weekly'. Ron handed the magazine over to Harry for him to read.

We watched as Harry's face got redder and redder. He threw the magazine down on the table in disgust 'I haven't been back two months and they are already starting up this crap.'

I looked up at him with a completely innocent look on my face 'Well you can look on the bright side, Harry, Draco Malfoy is number eight'.

At that Ron and I started into hysterics again while Harry grabbed another scone and went to pout in the corner.

Finally after everyone else arrived, had a few scones, and a few laughs at Harry's expense we set off to the Carnival. Since Ron and Hermione live in Diagon Alley, all we had to do was to go downstairs. We decided to check on the twins and to see how they were fairing. The shop was packed but the twins had Lee, Angie, and Alicia helping them and they seemed to have everything under control. Mum and Dad finally showed up and Angie took a break to ask us if we could take Alex and Ryan for a while. Alex is Fred and Angie's 1 year old boy and Ryan is George and Alicia's 5 month old. I think that I might be a bit prejudiced if I were to say that they are two of the most gorgeous babies I have ever seen. We got their prams and happily started on our way to explore the Carnival.

The Alley looked completely different. There were bright colored banners flying in the sky, balloons and streamers seemed to be everywhere, and all along the street there were beautiful and exotic flowers. There were strange and wonderful sounds, smells, and people everywhere. The streets had been transformed from the ordinary looking cobblestones to golden shimmering bricks. Tents were set up everywhere, some offering food, some crafts, and for some, you could pay an admission to see an unusual creature or some exotic witches dancing. We took our time and tried to explore everything, but it seemed like there was just too much to see and do.

Harry dared Ron to eat some sort of shish kabob from a Greek Wizard who had one eye and one leg. Ron did and proclaimed it quite good. Dad took Alex on a broomstick ride for the young ones and Alex loved it and kept saying 'again'. After three times Dad decided that was enough much to Alex's dismay. However he was quite satisfied when Ron bought him a balloon shaped like a lion that actually roared. Little Ryan just sat in his pram and watched everything with big eyes. Eventually, despite the noise and confusion he fell asleep.

We walked by a tent that sold dragon related items such as teeth earrings, moving toys, and dragon eggs. Mum wouldn't go by it but Bill went over looking for a new earring. Mum has had a hard time with anything to do with dragons after Charlie's death during the war. I didn't want to dwell on sad things so I walked past the tent and held my Mum's hand.

We did walk past one tent that I was fascinated with. They had these beautiful little globes that held magical butterflies, bees, and dragonflies. They were made of different stones and jewels and would flutter in the small globe. I was absolutely enthralled with the dragonfly ones as I have always had a thing for them. My grandmum gave me a dragonfly broach when I was a child and I have always loved dragonflies since then. I decided not to buy one as I was still saving up for the gallery and the one I loved the most was quite expensive.

Ron was getting irritable and so was Alex, so we decided to head back to the shop and give Alex and Ryan back to their mums and then get some lunch.

There were several food and tea tents set up and we found one that looked promising. We placed our orders, received our food, and sat down to a nice meal. After our respite and brief rest we decided to head out and see some more of the carnival.

We arrived to the tents that had the performers and watched the fire eaters, sword swallowers, and a man that played a flute to a dancing cobra (we tried to get Harry to speak to it, but he refused). We saw the gypsies playing music and tarot card readers (Ron and Harry practically ran away from that tent). There were some Chinese dancers who danced with a dragon and did incredible balancing moves upon each other.

By that time it was late afternoon and I was exhausted. I started to limp a bit and was hoping that Mum wouldn't notice. I do think that Harry noticed because he mentioned he was thirsty and tired of walking and wanted some tea. We went into the tea tent, ordered, and sat down.

Mum must have noticed that I was looking quite pale and she said 'Ginny you look tired, I think you should go home now.'

Normally, I don't mind Mum's fussiness over me, however today I wanted to have fun and not worry about aches and pains. I wanted to be free from the limitations that my body had placed on me.

'Mum' I said looking her straight in the eye 'I am not going to go home now, I will stay here and rest a bit and I want to go see more.'

'Ginny, don't be ridiculous, you will wear yourself out and won't be out of bed for two days,' she told me.

'I don't care, I will stay here and have a good time. If I am in bed a week then so be it,' I replied.

My Mum started to open her mouth and Dad stepped in and said, 'Molly, leave her be, she's been looking forward to this for weeks.' Mum looked over at him and relented, deciding to not say anymore.

Hermione, seizing the opportunity to move the conversation along, said 'Why doesn't Ginny stay here and the rest of us go to look at the animals, you didn't really want to look at them did you Gin?'

I shook my head no and smiled at her. As they got up to leave the table, Bill pulled over another chair for me to rest my feet on, he kissed me on the head, and told me that they would be back soon.

I closed my eyes and took a deep sigh. I don't really like having confrontations with my Mum, but sometimes she goes a bit overboard and I have to fight for my independence. As I opened my eyes I realized that I wasn't alone, Harry was sitting next to me. Feeling a moment of irritation, that my family can't seem to think that I can be alone for a bit with out falling apart, I snipped at Harry, 'Harry, I can sit here by myself you know, you don't have to be here because you feel sorry for me'.

Harry slowly turned to face me and gave me a piercing stare, 'Gin I am not here because I 'feel sorry' for you, I am here because I enjoy your company. However, if would enjoy being alone and sulking I can leave'. I felt horrible, I had just insulted one of my dearest friends 'Harry, don't leave, I'm sorry I said that, it was stupid'. I thought I was going to cry.

'Don't worry Gin', he said grabbing my hand, 'Apology accepted, would you like some more tea and maybe a scone?'

I nodded yes because I was still afraid that if I opened my mouth I would definitely start crying.

Harry stood up and went back to the line to order some more tea and scones. While he was up there, I started thinking about the past and remembering the day that my life changed. I don't usually like to dwell on it because it upsets me but since I was already upset, the memory came to me naturally.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was the last week of June, at the end of my sixth year. Everyone had finished their final exams or NEWTs, and we decided to have a pick up game of Quidditch. Ron, Harry, and I grabbed our brooms and headed out to the pitch. Along the way we grabbed a few other students and ended up with mixed teams of students from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. The next two hours were spent having one of the funniest games of Quidditch I have ever played. We joked around, teased each other, and generally acted crazy together. For some students, it was a last goodbye and for others it was a goodbye for a couple of months.

After a couple of hours we decided it was just too hot and we broke up the game to head back to the castle. I was lagging behind Ron and Harry a bit because my trainer had come undone and I needed to fix it. Ron yelled for me to hurry up and as I stood up I started to skip to catch up.

I never heard anything but it felt like a bludger had hit my lower back. I remember wondering who had gotten the bludger out again as we had just put all the Quidditch balls away. I slowly started to fall forward; my arms and legs didn't want to work. Then the pain hit, it was like a thousand needles were under my skin, jabbing at me. I remember the thud as I hit the ground and the fresh smell of the green grass as I lay there, unable to move. Somewhere I heard screaming, but I wasn't sure if it was me or not. After that, nothing.

This was my contribution to The Great Battle of Hogwarts at which the Dark Lord Voldemort was eventually defeated. I was the first casualty. I had no chance to fight, to help my friends, or to be a support to Harry. My Defense against the Dark Arts classes were useless, the extra training I received from the DA did me no good. With in the first 30 seconds of the attack I was down and helpless.

Several days later I awoke at St Mungo's and through my family and Hermione I was told what had happened. Ron saw me fall and was able to sound the alarm by yelling. Fortunately, he was able to do that or a lot more students would have fallen quickly. Ron was able to get out a few good hexes, however, he had no cover and it wasn't long before he was down also. They hit him with the same curse they used on me, but he was able to duck and the curse didn't hit him fully as it did me, they also hit his wand arm with a severing curse which caused massive amounts of bleeding. For a while it was doubtful if his arm could be saved. The Mediwizards that treated him were wonderful and after several weeks Ron regained the full use of his arm.

Students and teachers fought side by side at Hogwarts and while they were able to hold off the initial attack, they were quite out numbered. Professor Dumbledore was able to notify the Ministry right away and the Aurors arrived quickly, which helped. The battle raged on for several hours until Harry took action. With Professor Dumbledore's help, Harry was able to destroy the Dark Lord. When their leader was killed, most of the Dark Forces fled and the Aurors put on a chase, capturing if they could but killing if they needed to.

My own story was slow and painful. No one was able to figure out what curse I was hit with, but the effect was that my nerves were basically destroyed. The first few days I couldn't move at all except to open my eyes and breathe. The Mediwizards were baffled as to what do to. They tried all sorts of charms, spells, and potions and none seemed to work. After a couple of weeks I showed some improvement and was able to speak a little and could move my fingers. My progress was minimal and after four weeks the Mediwizards sadly informed my parents that I would most likely be bed ridden for the rest of my life and would never walk again. My family was devastated, Ron seemed to be doing quite well and was responding to his treatment, but for some reason I was not getting better.

One of the Mediwizards would not give up on me. Every day he would come and try different spells on me and he sent owls to different magical hospitals asking if they could help.

My parents wanted to bring me home, but it was decided that I would do better and the Mediwizards could monitor my condition more if I stayed in a private room in St. Mungo's. I was set up in my new room, Mum and Hermione came by and brought pictures and tried to decorate the room for me. At that time I was resolved that I would never leave this room and I was depressed. I wanted to die. I prayed to every deity that I could think of to just let me go peacefully, to ease my family's anguish.

After two months of barely being able to move, help arrived. My savior was a middle aged Wizard from Australia who had answered my doctor's plea for help. Dr. Farrell had been studying nerve disorders and had some success in treating paralyzed patients. He wanted to try some new powerful healing charms he had been working on. Since my case was so drastic he knew that he could make a difference in my treatment.

My family readily agreed and permitted him to start working with me. At first I was still apathetic and was very skeptical of him. He started to work on my depression first because according to him, the patient's mental state can either help or hinder the treatment.

His whole approach was intense and at times painful for me but the results were outstanding. He never gave me a break and he wouldn't let me quit or give up. At times I truly hated him and we would get into loud yelling matches, but still I made progress. With in the first week my speech improved and I could actually feed myself. Each week I seemed to overcome one hurdle after another and six weeks after he came I could stand on my own legs. Four months after my parents were told that I would be bed ridden for the rest of my life, I walked up the front stairs and into the Burrow. I wouldn't be able to play Quidditch or be an Auror and had to continue with a regimen of exercises, spells, and potions, but I could walk.

I told my parents that I wanted to finish my education and the staff at Hogwarts worked out a curriculum that allowed me to catch up on my course work via owl. Every day I worked on my exercises and school work, determined to not let my injuries stop my life.

Even though I was thrilled to be home and moving around, I still had lot of emotional issues to deal with. I think the hardest one was to accept my limitations. I was determined to be as strong as I was before and it was with great anger and sadness that I realized I couldn't. My dreams of a Professional Quidditch career were gone and that was also a hard loss to accept. I focused on my art as a way to let out my frustrations. When Dr. Farrell discovered that I enjoyed drawing, he encouraged me to use that talent as a tool. It was those hours of painting and drawing that led me to be accepted at art school and the current career I enjoy.

I sat at the table waiting for Harry to come back with my tea and scone, my mind was in the past and first horrible months of my recovery. Harry came back and sat down, handing me my scone. He looked over at me and noticed that I had tears in my eyes, he grabbed my hand and softly said 'It's okay Gin, don't cry.' I said back to him 'I am dwelling on things that depress me Harry, and I am being quite stupid about it. Tell me a funny story and make me laugh.'

He smiled at me. 'I can't think of any funny stories, but here is something that will make you smile'. He reached into his robe and pulled out a box and set it in front of me.

I looked over at him, wondering what he had done.

'Open it', he said.

Slowly I opened the box and I was in shock to see the Dragonfly globe that I had admired so much earlier. 'Harry, when did you get this, it's too much, and I love it'.

He laughed at me 'I snuck back to that tent and bought it, it's not too much, and you are welcome'.

I sat there staring at that globe with my mouth wide open. I couldn't believe that he bought me it. I thought I was going to burst into tears again, this time from happiness.

Harry noticed that my eyes were getting watery again and said 'Gin, don't start with the tears, I bought you that to make you happy and to let you know how much you mean to me'.

'Oh Harry, I am happy, it's just so beautiful and thank you so much,' I leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. 'Good, now finish your tea, it's getting cold,' he replied.

We sat there at that table for another hour just talking and laughing and having a wonderful time. Finally my family showed up and Hermione noticed my globe. I told everyone what Harry had done and they all admired the beauty of the dragonfly. We got up and headed over to the Leaky Cauldron for some dinner. Harry gave me his arm and helped escort me down Diagon Alley.

All in all it was a great day and well worth the anticipation.